Jim: I posted in the Barns and Trad section regarding this topic, sort of. I have a barn that has some rot to the bottoms of the post and they are too short. I had theorized that I could scarph in additional length to all six posts in the 18x28' barn. Consensus has been that having all posts extended would be too unstable although one respondent thought it would be a "a fun project" but not one they would undertake.

The posts are currently 14 feet with a second floor hung at half way. I want to use this as a wood working shop and thus would like the first floor to be somewhat higher. A pony wall of sorts is the leading solution but I would like your opinion of extending posts instead.

Thanks in advance

Scotty